The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, along with peripheral neuropathy and painful scars, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since August 1, 2024. The Board has granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, along with peripheral neuropathy and painful scars, have significantly impacted his ability to work due to flare-ups, gait disturbances, arthritis, muscle atrophy, and instability. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.
- Claimed conditions
- bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, painful scars
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 28, 2026
- Citation
- A26007759
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation A26007759.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, abdominal hernia, GERD, bilateral ankle disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during the appellant's period of active duty.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective October 24, 2017. The attorney fees are eligible based on the past-due benefits awarded in the May 2021 rating decision.
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